Ladder attachment



Sept.v 8, 1959 H. cHBBs V 2,903,086

' LADDER ATTAcm/LENT Filed Feb. 1o, 1958 INVENTOR.

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www/0% @am United States Patent O LADDER ATTACHlVIENT Howard L. Chubbs,Gary, Ind.

Application February 10, l1958, Serial No. 714,182

3 Claims. (Cl. ISL- 229) The present `invention relates to a ladderattachment and, more particularly, pertains to a device adapted to spacethe lupper portions of a ladder from a vertically disposed supportingwall surface so as to enable a person to safely utilize the uppermostcross pieces (rungs or steps) of such ladder for a support.

In lthe normal course of using an ordinary ladder for purposes ofworking on a vertical surface, such as in painting the side of a house,the upper end of the ladder normally leans against such surface with theupper cross pieces being in close proximity to the surface whereby suchcross pieces cannot be used safely for supporting a person disposed onthe ladder.

Thus, a person attempting to use the upper cross piece to extend his orher reach while on -a ladder in such position may lose their balance andfall, thereby incurring a serious injury. Furthermore, it is oftendesirable to utilize a conventional stepladder in such a way that theladder leans against the wall surface for support rather than its stilesin spread position. Where a stepladder is utilized in such a manner, theupper steps thereof become of little value as supports, because of theirclose proximity to the wall surface.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a ladderattachment' which spaces the upper end portion of a ladder, Whether ofthe extension or stepladder variety, at a desired distance from thesupporting wall surface and thus materially increase the utility of theupper cross pieces of the ladder as supports.

It is another object of this invention to provide a ladder attachmentwhich is readily adaptable for engagement with ladders varying widely insize and shape.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a ladderattachment which is` adapted to` assume selected positions on asupporting wall surface, such as a windowstraddling position, and whichwill not obstruct cleaning or painting of the wall or window surface.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a ladderattachment which, when contacting a supporting wall surface, will notcause any seriousV ystrain or stress to be effected in either the ladderor attachment components.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a ladderattachment having means for supporting objects, such as pails, brushes,etc., in a convenient location adjacent the upper portion of the ladderto which such attachment is alllxed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a ladderattachment which is of simple, compact, and sturdy construction, isreadily assembled or disassembled With respect to a ladder, and isinexpensive to produce.

The above and other objects will become more apparent upon proceedingwith the following discussion when read in the light of the accompanyingdrawing and appended claims.

In one embodiment of the attachment, an elongate rigid member, formed ofangle iron or the like, is provided having extensible parallel armsprojecting there.

from at opposed end portions. The extensible arms attached to theelongate member assure desired spacing between the upper portion of theladder and the adjacent supporting 'wall surface. The rigid member may,if desired, have extensible end portions. Clamping means, for engaging aplatform portion of a stepladder or the like, is secured to the centralportion of the elongate rigid member intermediate said extending arms.Relatively spaced securing means for engaging the stiles of an extensionladder or the like are adjustably carried on said rigid member and arearranged on opposite sides of said clamping means. Cam means areprovided which cooperate with the securing means and cause the latter toproject olbliquely in susbtantially the same direction from said rigidmember, upon said securing means and ladder Stiles being in assembledrelation, and thereby prevent any excessive bending forces being exertedon the ladder Stiles or the attachment.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference shouldnow be made to the drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the improvedattachment shown engaging the stiles of an4 extension ladder and incontact with the adjacent supporting wall surface. n

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line 2--2 ofFig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment olf theimproved attachment, shown engaging the platform of a stepladder;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on :line 4 4 ofFig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of a modlled form of theimproved attachment.

Referring now to the drawing and, more particularly, Fig. l, oneembodiment of an improved attachment 10 is illustrated in combinationwith a conventional type of extension ladder and is adapted to space theupper portion of the latter a predetermined distance from a supportingwall surface. The attachment l0 comprises an elongate frame member l?,formed of rigid, sturdy material such as, for example, a piece of angleiron or channel. Obviously, other frame members may be employed to equaladvantage; it is desired, however, that the frame member fbe providedwith two normally disposed flanges such as 14 and 16, see Fig. 1, Ifor apurpose to be described more fully hereinafter.

Secured to substantially the center portion of the elongate ldependingilange '.16 of member 12, is a vise-like clamp 19, the components ofwhich are more clearly seen in Fig. 4. Clamp 19 comprises an upperinverted L-shaped rst piece 18 and an opposed L-shaped second piece 20.First piece 18 has one ilange 18a engaging the outer surface of memberflange 16 and second piece 20 has one flange 20a thereof engaging theinner or opposite surface of llange 16. Flanges 18a and 20a are held infixed relation with member llange -16 by nut and bolt assemblies 22, orany other suitable means, such as welding.

It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the second or outwardly projectingflanges lsb and 20b of pieces 18 and 20, respectively, are disposed insubstantially coextensive relation and terminate in substantially thesame vertical plane. Flanges 18a, 182) and 20h cooperate withone anotherto form a pocket in which -a top step 30 of a conventional stepladder 32is accommodated. The flange 20h of member 20 has threadedly mountedthereon a clamping bolt or stud 24, see Fig. 4. Ail'lxed to the exposedend of bolt 24 is a handle portion `26. The concealed or opposite end ofthe bolt 24 is provided with an enlarged flattened head 28 which abuts:the underside of step 3) and causes the latter to be securely clampedbetween head 28 and ilange 18b of piece 18.

Ladder attachment also comprises a pair of relatively spaced,substantially parallel elongate arms 34 which are secured to and extendtransversely from opposed end limits of elongate frame member 12. Thearms 34 preferably project from the inner surface of flange 16 and aresecured thereto by threaded nipple 36 mounted on fiange 16, or by anyother suitable means, such as welding. Where nipples 36 are utilized,the arms 34 may be disassembled from member 12 to facilitate packing orstoring of the attachment 10.

It is the purpose of arms 34 to space frame member 12 and the upperportion of the ladder secured thereto from the supporting wall surface apredetermined distance so as to effect greater stability for the ladderand enable the uppermost Vcrosspiece of the ladder to be utilized.Afixed to the distal ends of arms 34 are rubber caps 38 which may haveya rounded terminal portion to assure a minimum area of contact with thesupporting wall surface. The rubber caps 38 prevent scratching ormarring of the supporting wall surface and also prevent accidentalslippage between the surface and attachment when the ladder is leaningagainst such surface.

When the attachment 1t) is being utilized with a conventional stepladder32, pivotally connected Stiles 48 of such ladder should be moved totheir inoperative position, see Fig. 3, and the lower ends of thestiles, not shown, should be spaced away from the wall surface asufficient amount so that the step will be disposed substantially normalto the wall surface against which such ladder is positioned. In theconventional stepladder, the plane of the uppermost step is angularlydisposed with respect to the longitudinal axes of the stiles.

As will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4, the flange 13b of the vise clamp 19and the arms 34 are disposed substantially normal to flange 16 of member12 and thus, arms 34 will be disposed normal to the supporting wallsurface when the ladder is positioned in the manner aforementioned and,thus, prevent any undue strain or stress being caused in the attachmentor ladder 12.

As a result of the spacing of the uppermost step 30 of stepladder 32from the supporting wall surface, a person may ascend the steps of theladder and utilize the uppermost step thereof with ease and withoutexperiencing a sense of unbalance.

Attachment 10, in addition to being engageable with a stepladder 32, mayalso be used in combination with an extension ladder 50, fragmentarilyillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noted that attachment 10 isprovided with a pair of relatively spaced U-bolt members 52 whichproject outwardly from flange 16 of member 12. Members 52 are disposedon opposite sides of vise clamp 19 and are accommodated in selectedapertures 54 formed in flange 16. There are a plurality of apertures 54formed in flange 16 for each U-bolt member 52, so that the spacingbetween the U-bolt members S2 may be varied to conform to the spacingbetween the stiles 50a of the ladder 50. The ends of members 52 projectthrough the selected apertures and are threadedly engaged by Wing nuts56, see Fig. 2. The U-bolt members may be readily disassembled fromframe member 12 by merely unthreading wing nuts 56 from the bolt memberends.

It will be noted in Fig. 2. that when attachment 10 and ladder 50 are inassembled relation, U-bolt members 52 project obliquely from flangesurface 16 so that the plane of the bolt member is normal to thelongitudinal axis of the stile embraced by member 52 and thns noexcessive bending force is exerted on the U-bolt member arms 53 or theembraced stile. The apertures S4 are of sufficient diameter to enablethe U-bolt member arms 53 to assume the angular disposition illustratedin Fig. 2.

To further insure the proper oblique disposition of members 52, a pairof apertured opposed angle pieces 60a and 60b are provided. One piece60a is disposed to one side of flange 16, adjacent wing nut 56, and theother piece 60b is disposed in inverted position on the opposite side offlange 16 and in direct engagement with the stile 50a. The two anglepieces 60a and 60h, traversed by each of said U-bolts, form a two-partrectangular base portion, see Fig. 2, Which functions to prevent theU-bolt arms from being subjected to any distorting or bending force whenthe bolt member 52 is drawn up into gripping engagement with the stileby the wing nuts S6. rhe U-bolt members 52, when in a non-grippingposition, may be readily slipped endwise of the stiles to effect readyengagement or disengagement of the attachment 10 from the ladder 50.Accordingly, it is apparent that attachment 10 may, with equal facility,engage either the Stiles of an extension ladder or the uppermost step 30of a stepladder 32, and space the upper portion of either ladder acorrect distance from a supporting wall surface.

It may be desirable to fabricate the frame member 12 so that the samemay be longitudinally extensible. One way of accomplishing this resultis shown in the modified frame member 12a, see Fig. 5. Frame member 12acomprises two telescoping sections 9 and 11 which are provided with aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 13 formed adjacent theinterconnected end portions of said sections 9 and 11. Interconnectionbetween sections 9 and 11 is effected by a pair of nut-and-boltassemblies 15 which extend through selected apertures 13.

It may be desired to adjust the attachment 1t) to specific widths forpurposes of straddling window openings or the like. By rendering framemember 12 extensible, attachment 16 is possessed of greater utility.

If desired, the projecting arms 34 may also be of an extensible nature,wherein each arm comprises two telescopically engageable sections 33 and35, illustrated in Fig. 5. A lockscrew 37, threadedly mounted on section35 may be employed for purposes of frictionally engaging movable section33. Section 33 may also be provided with apertures for reception of alocking pin, if a more secure locking means is desired.

Upper ange 18!) of piece 18, comprising part of the previously describedvise clamp, may also function as a lip over which a tray 7) havingraised edge portions may bev frictionally secured. A portion of the trayperiphery is provided with a hook-like portion 71 in which isaccommodated flange 181;, see Figs. 2 and 3. rl`ray 70 may be used forsupporting pail, bucket, brushes or tools used by the person supportedby the ladder.

-lt is thus seen that a ladder attachment has been provided which is ofrelatively simple construction and yet possesses a flexibilityheretofore unknown in a device of this type. The improved attachment mayengage a plurality of ladder constructions without imparting excessivebending forces to the ladder or the attachment secured thereto.

While several embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will beunderstood, of Course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto,since many modifications may be made and it is contemplated, therefore,by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall withinthe tine spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An attachment for a ladder comprising elongate means, releasableclamp means mounted in a fixed position on said elongate meansintermediate the ends thereof; said clamp means extending transverselyfrom said elongate means and cooperating therewith to form a first planeadapted to normally assume a horizontal disposition, said clamp meansbeing adapted for selectively accommodating a cross-piece of a ladder,said clamp havi g an up er planar jaw extending transversely from saidelongate means, tray means having an edge portion of substantiallyU-shaped cross-sectional configuration for frictionally engaging saidclamp upper planar jaw, said tray edge portion engaging said upper jawand being supported thereby, securing means carried by said elongatemeans and disposed in spaced relation on opposite sides of said clampmeans, said securing means projecting from the same side of saidelongate means as said clamp means for selective engagement with thestiles of a ladder, and surface-engaging, protruding means projectingfrom said elongate means and disposed within said first plane and inspaced relation with respect to said clamp and securing means, said'securing means defining a second plane extending obliquely upwardly fromsaid first plane.

2. An attachment for a ladder comprising apertured elongate frame means,said frame means having a vertical flange portion in the normal positionof attachment use, spaced projecting arm means secured to and extendingtransversely from one side of said frame means, said arm means and saidframe means forming a iirst plane adapted to normally asume a horizontalposition, substantially U-shaped securing means carried by saidapertured elongate frame means for straddling engagement with the Stilesof such ladder, the free ends of said securing means extending throughapertures of said frame means, removable angle means traversed by saidU-shaped' securing means, said angle means being disposed on oppositesides of said frame means vertical ange, the edges of said anglesabutting against opposed surfaces of said vertical ange in the normalposition of attachment use; fastener means adjustably mounted on thedistal ends of said U-shaped securing means to elect adjustment of saidsecuring means into anchoring engagement with the stiles of such ladder,said securing means forming a second plane extending obliquely upwardlyfrom said first plane when said attachment is in assembled relation withsuch ladder.

3. An attachment for a ladder comprising elongate frame means, saidelongate means having a depending ange disposed in the vertical plane inthe normal position of use, releasable clamp means mounted in a fixedposition on said elongate means intermediate the ends thereof; saidclamp means having opposed plate-like jaws extending transversely fromsaid elongate means and cooperating therewith to form a first planeadapted' to normally assume a horizontal disposition, said plate-likejaws comprising portions of discrete angle members, portions of saidangles formed integrally with said platelike jaws abutting againstopposed surfaces of said elongate means depending lange, securing meanstraversing said discrete angle members and said elongate means dependingange for retaining said angle members and elongate means in a rigidstate of assembly, bolt means threadedly mounted in the lower plate-likejaw reciprocally movable relative to the opposed upper plate-like jawwhereby an upper step of a ladder may be clamped between said boltdistal end and said upper jaw, and parallel extensible arms projectingfrom opposed end limits of said elongate means in substantially the sameplane as said clamp means plate-like jaws and in a direction oppositethereto relative to said interposed depending flange.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,471,848 Johnson Oct. 23, 1923 1,543,551 Couche June 23, 1925 2,327,317IRandall Aug. 17, 1943 2,473,951 Hickey June 2l, 1949 2,710,129 TelechJune 7, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 268,709 Great Britain Jan. 11, 1927

